Bryce, Zion & Grand Canyon Family Multisport Tour
- Astonishing rock formations, river-carved canyons and sheer sandstone cliffs
- Pedal among crimson rocks and desert wildflowers to Red Canyon
- An impressive slot canyon in Bryce, whose walls are only ten feet apart in places
- Kids make like early pioneers, exploring the Grand Canyon's rim by mule
- Splash your way through the Narrows in Zion
Biking & Hiking in the National Parks of Utah & Arizona
Hovering hoodoos. Walter's Wiggles. Spindly spires. Kids in giggles. Seems right out of Dr. Seuss. But this fantastical world exists. Right here. In the Southwest. You'll rub your eyes. Once. Maybe twice. To believe the whimsical rock formations. The spectacular views. The red and orange and yellow hues. And in this wonderland of slot canyons, pinnacles and bristlecone pine, your family gets to hike, bike, mule ride and rock climb. Watching the sun set at the surreal gorge's rim, you might just hear Dr. Seuss say: "Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Read the Straight Talk
Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.Accommodations & Service Standards
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a fairly rustic national park lodge that reflects its natural surroundings. While this historic hotel offers simpler accommodations than the typical Backroads property, it's been selected because of its access to the best riding and hiking in the region. Please note that the guest rooms are basic and are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation).Generally speaking, service in the national parks can seem laid-back when compared with the high standards of service found on other Backroads trips.
Interpretive Guides & Hiking Without Your Leaders
Due to permit restrictions for all outfitters, your Backroads leaders can hike with you in Bryce Canyon National Park, but can't act as interpretive guides. They will be unable to hike with you in Grand Canyon National Park and are limited to guiding on certain trails in Zion National Park. Throughout the trip, your leaders will give an orientation to the area's flora, fauna and terrain before your hikes.Permit restrictions also dictate that your leaders won't be able to offer route support on the optional bike ride at the Grand Canyon.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Accommodations & Service Standards
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a fairly rustic national park lodge that reflects its natural surroundings. While this historic hotel offers simpler accommodations than the typical Backroads property, it's been selected because of its access to the best riding and hiking in the region. Please note that the guest rooms are basic and are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation).Generally speaking, service in the national parks can seem laid-back when compared with the high standards of service found on other Backroads trips.
Interpretive Guides & Hiking Without Your Leaders
Due to permit restrictions for all outfitters, your Backroads leaders can hike with you in Bryce Canyon National Park, but can't act as interpretive guides. They will be unable to hike with you in Grand Canyon National Park and are limited to guiding on certain trails in Zion National Park. Throughout the trip, your leaders will give an orientation to the area's flora, fauna and terrain before your hikes.Permit restrictions also dictate that your leaders won't be able to offer route support on the optional bike ride at the Grand Canyon.
Itinerary
Days
1-2 Bryce Canyon's maze of spires, windows and pinnacles 
Hike through a slot canyon whose walls are only ten feet apart in places Discover a labyrinth of hoodoos and vivid rock formations sprouting from the floor of Queen's Garden Grown-ups spin to Red Canyon, where youngsters join them for a breezy ride What was that? Desert critters, like lizards and chipmunks, scamper across your path Journey through an arid landscape with the spectacular Kaibab Plateau rising ahead 
Marvel at the awe-inspiring vastness of the Grand Canyon, one of the world's seven natural wonders.
Day
3 Kids make like early pioneers, exploring the Grand Canyon's rim by mule Adults enjoy an up-close look at the beauty of the Grand Canyon during a hike Join your leaders for a drive out to Point Imperial for unrivaled views of The Painted Desert and the Marble Canyon Can't get enough of this expansive natural wonder? Follow Widforss Trail for an astounding view of the majestic San Francisco Peaks towering above the South Rim Youngsters delight in a special dinner with the Kid Coordinator while adults sit down to a satisfying meal at the Grand Canyon Lodge.
Day
4 Splash your way through the Narrows in Zion, one of the most renowned slot canyons in the world, with small waterfalls and hanging gardens cascading down the rock faces Admire expansive high-desert views of the Grand Staircase and watch as the cliffs change to vibrant shades of pink and red.
Days
5-6 The thrilling hike to Angels Landing, bringing you nearly 1,500 feet above the valley for a 360-degree panorama of soaring sandstone Opt for an easygoing walk past Emerald Pools if heights aren't your thing Experienced canyoneering instructors show kids the ropes Pedal a traffic-free route amid towering walls of sheer Navajo sandstone.
Casual Inns
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park (1 night) Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this simple park lodge is mere steps from the canyon's edge.
Grand Canyon Lodge - North Rim
Grand Canyon National Park (2 nights) This 1920s rustic stone-and-wood lodge is perched above the grandeur of the remote North Rim.
Cliffrose Lodge & Gardens
Zion National Park (2 nights) A riverside oasis with a beach and lush gardens. (pool)
Guest Reviews About This Trip
This was the best trip ever - it combined the right amount of adult time with family time, exercise and leisure. Given the five-year difference in our kids' ages, combined with our younger son's endless energy, we wanted to find the family vacation that satisfied all our needs and goals, and Backroads fulfilled this in every way. Additionally, our leaders' willingness to be flexible with regard to our itinerary made the trip even more tailored to us. A perfect blend of activity, downtime, family, new friends. We are new fans!- Menlo Park, CA
What an amazing family experience!! We could never have accomplished near this amount of activities, left to our own devices. Nor have challenged ourselves as much. We enjoyed the entire experience, and hold its memory dear!- Saint Augustine, FL
Backroads is the way to travel - it was great having all the logistics taken care of. We could just relax and enjoy the trip. The sights were incredible and the activities fun. My children, ages 6-17, all had a wonderful vacation. I cannot say enough nice things about our leaders - they were awesome. I would recommend this trip to anyone who likes to be active and appreciates nature.- Wauwatosa WI
Trip Dates & Prices
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
2015 FAMILY DATES
June 2015
- 6/14 - 6/19 ( $2748 per person, double occ., +$520 for single occ.
- 6/21 - 6/26 ( $2748 per person, double occ., +$520 for single occ.
- 6/28 - 7/3 ( $2748 per person, double occ., +$520 for single occ.
July 2015
- 7/5 - 7/10 ( $2498 per person, double occ., +$520 for single occ.
- 7/12 - 7/17 ( $2498 per person, double occ., +$520 for single occ.
- 7/19 - 7/24 ( $2498 per person, double occ., +$520 for single occ.
- 7/26 - 7/31 ( $2698 per person, double occ., +$520 for single occ.
August 2015
- 8/2 - 8/7 ( $2748 per person, double occ., +$520 for single occ.
Don't see your ideal travel date? Call us at 800-462-2848 for Private Trip date availability.
This Trip Is Rated Level 1-3
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | |||||||||||
| Day | Activity | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | ||
| 1 | Walking/Hiking | 3 | 500 | ||||||||
| 2 | Biking | 9* | 100 | 29 | 1000 | ||||||
| Biking | 16 | 100 | |||||||||
| Walking/Hiking | 2 | 100 | |||||||||
| 3 | Walking/Hiking | 2 | 500 | 7 | 1500 | 10 | 500 | ||||
| Walking/Hiking | 5 | 100 | |||||||||
| Other | Point Imperial Scenic Drive (2 Hours Round-Trip) | ||||||||||
| Kids | Mule Ride (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 4 | Walking/Hiking | 2 | 0 | 5 | 200 | ||||||
| 5 | Walking/Hiking | 3 | 400 | 4 | 1000 | 5 | 1500 | 8 | 2200 | ||
| Walking/Hiking | 4 | 1000 | |||||||||
| Kids | Canyoneering (6 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | Biking | 19 | 500 | ||||||||
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
* Includes a shuttle
Private Trips Options & Pricing
Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities.
You can pick from a large selection of dates for your group of 8 or more. Call us for date availability.
If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.
Pricing for Private Trips (prices may vary based on departure date)
2015
| 2 - 3 guests from $4,798 pp dbl. occ. | 8 - 9 guests from $3,298 pp dbl. occ. |
| 4 - 5 guests from $3,998 pp dbl. occ. | 10 - 11 guests from $2,798 pp dbl. occ. |
| 6 - 7 guests from $3,598 pp dbl. occ. | 12 or more guests from $2,498 pp dbl. occ. |
Please note: Youth savings do not apply to Private Trips.
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For 35 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Utah & Arizona tour experts. See our award-winning USA multisport tours, USA biking tours and USA walking and hiking tours.
